1528.
The gardens look amazing in the spring, the flowers bloom and each rose has its own unique layout that is unbeknown to the naked eye. Im trying to distract myself from the real matters at hand though. I don't know how to bring myself to look at the paper that is currently sitting on my desk. Cromwell brought hand delivered the parchment only moments ago, bowing to me in acknowledgment before slowing leaving my chamber. Trying to occupy my thoughts with other little things is sort of working. My hair draped over my shoulder catches the sunlight coming through the, highlighting the dark brown and bits of gray that shine.
And I really as old as the kingdom is saying. Im barren and everyone knows it, my bleeding stopped years ago with the last child I tried to bore the king. I faked my bleeds for a while before it became to tiring and eventually let the doctors know during my checkups. He wants me replaced, removed from my beloved place by his side as his queen and once loving wife. When I was married to his brother, I had such high hopes for myself and him. A castle full of children that would look like us and rule this kingdom like their father, but my dreams were crushed when Arthur became even more sick. I was forbidden to see him or even say a farewell to the prince I had grown to love in such a short time.
"Mi-lady would you care for me to read the letter?" Mistress Darrell asked, bringing my attention from my thoughts and to her.
"No need" I shake my head. "I'll deal with is later. Right now I would like to walk in the gardens."
"Yes Mi-lady shall I fetch your cloak?" She curtsied to me.
"Yes at once." I nod.
The cloak she handed me was the one Arthur had given me on our wedding day. I loved this cloak. A deep red with white fur lining the inside and neck line. The positive aspect about it is that the cloak with many of my gowns as well as the queens jewels. On the way out the door, I snatch the parchment from the table placing it in the pocket of my skirt and nodding to the page to open the door. Springs in England were always my favorite, the birds would sing their songs, butterflies would fly with colorful wings and the wind would faintly smell of the salted sea air. Being in the sunlight after a harsh winter was always a kind way to ease my mind on the Christmas tides and New Year's celebrations where I was usually present. As of this year I was forbidden to partake but I will not get into that. For as of now I want to enjoy the sunlight on my skin and breathe for once.
Sitting near the small pond secluded from the rest of the open gardens, I pull out the parchment and break the seal and I pause. Do I really want to open this and read it? Should I throw it into the pond and play like I never received it? I chose the latter and opened the parchment against my better judgement. It was from the King, requesting a private dinner with me so we may discuss matters. I knew what that meant though, I would sit there picking at my food while he rambled on and on, on how the realm needed a son and that if I just would cooperate this would be so much easier on me, but I knew better. This would be a death sentence and he would try to make me a sign my rights away, but I dare not. Im the daughter of Isabella and Ferdinand and I know a trap when I see one.
Looking up the page opened the door to the chambers I know so well. His. He sat at the head of the table, glaring at the fire not acknowledging my presents what so ever.
"Husband." I dip for a brief moment before standing up straight with my chin held high.
"Catalina." He spoke, turning to me. I haven't heard him use that name since before we were married, how lovely it sounds coming from him. "You may sit."
The only seat was the one to his right, facing the fireplace he was glaring at with such content. Wine was brought out by servants, pouring us both a glass before disappearing into the back ground.
"Your letter stated you wanted to have dinner with me." I began but didn't sit at first, "But you could have sent a servant to ask."
"I could have but I didn't, shall you sit?" He gestured to the chair.
"If you wish it." I nod, taking the seat next to him with a sigh. My hands are tucked away in my lap not wanting to leave any evidence that I was ever in his chambers. "Why am I here Henry? Im sure you would prefer the company of Mistress Boleyn to that of my own."
"Let's not mention her while we are having diner. This dinner is supposed to be for us to talk like we use too." He breathed my way and I could smell the wine. It was very strong. "I want to discuss our divorce actually."
"Have you reconsidered, is she not all you are praying for." I spat before I could stop myself.
"Mention her again and I'll have you bound to your chambers" He threatened, "Im coming to you as your former husband but mostly your king. If you agree to the annulment, you can live in any of the homes I have given you. There is Ludlow, or Windsor. I'll even have one built for you if you agree to the annulment."
He seemed to be pleading for me to take this way out, but how could I? I would be damning my soul to say my first marriage was consummated and that I have been tainted. My little Mary was my greatest concern, how will she take this? Knowing that her mother and farther are no longer together and that he decided on her. A few servant brought in our dinners, placing them infront of us and removing the lids while others brought in the trays that carried more. He must really not want anyone but us in this room at the moment.
I picked at my plate, how could I eat when he was wanting to leave me. I felt sick just thinking about all this. When I stormed out of the court proceedings I thought this would be over and he would give up this endower but it seems I am to loose. What could one woman do to keep her husband?
"I have letters." Henry said, pulling my eyes away from my plate.
"What letters?" I ask, my attention fully on him.
"Plenty of letters, a few to the pope, a few to your nephew, where you stated that you are his loyal subject and that if we divorce he will send an army to my lands and destroy everything my line has built. Putting you on my throne to rule while I rot." He stated with a hint of anger in his voice.
"Those are my personal letters. You have no right-"
"I HAVE EVERY RIGHT." He yelled at me, "I HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON IN THIS KINGDOM AND YOU STATING THAT YOU ARE SOMEONE ELSES LOYAL SUBJECT IS TREASON."
"Henry"
"Don't Henry me, Katherine." He glared at me, "Either you agree to the annulment or ill show the letters to the courts."
"I will not." I stand up, knocking the chair over. "You think your problems will disappear when I am no longer queen. You think that she will give you many sons and still be the sweet person you think she is. I have given you many years of my life and not once have you asked me if I was okay with. NO you haven't. Every miscarriage you said we would try again until you just gave up being with me all together. I have loved you, even when I should not but I can't help that because I am your wife and your queen as I recall. The mother to your Princess but that must have slipped your mind."
Oh no, what have I done. His face is as red as an apple and I can feel the anger seeping off of him.
"Get out." He whispered.
"No." I state, "You are going to listen to me, I have sat in the shadows playing the helpless because that is how you want me. I know what they say about me. The court gossip that gets back to my ears because of my ladies. Why are you doing this to us? Have I not been the wife I could have been to you?"
"No you haven't" He shook his head. "You have failed in being a good wife. A good wife would bore her husband sons. Many in fact and they would have lived. You're dismissed, now get out of my chambers."
I felt the tears streaming down my face and I dare not give him the satisfaction of me wiping them away either. I left this chambers with my head held high and my hands clasped infront of my bodice. How could he treat me like this, Im the Queen of England, the mother of this heir, beloved of the people and the Kings loyal subject? Upon entering my chambers, she is there mingling with my ladies. They all stand, acknowledging my presents with a mutter of mi-lady or your Majesty.
"Mistress Boleyn you are dismissed from my ladies." I spat, glaring at her. She bows once more and leaved the room and I exhale the breath that I held in. Im sure Henry will hear about it from her soon and then he will charge in here to argue with me some more. Mistress Darrell helped me from my gown and into my chemise. I was in no mood to entertain people or have any unwelcomed guest. My bed seems colder than it once was even though the fire burning bright. The tears come back once I roll away from the fire and face the other side of the room. My thoughts go to Mary, my precious girl who was my miracle baby. Her dark brown hair like my own and her heart shaped face. If this divorce goes through she would be claimed as a bastard and I don't want her to think that ever. She is a princess and always will be but with her at Wales im unable to see her and reassure that she is a blessing and a princess and that her mother The Queen loves her very much.
The annulment came back to me. The one sitting on my desk is the one Wolsey has commissioned as well as the man named Cromwell. What is I should draw up my own annulment and present it to Henry. Would I be rejected if I issued my own? Would Henry keep his word or would I fail? Only tomorrow will tell.
/
Anne
She dismissed me, dismissed me like a common peasant, something I am far from. I have the Kings heart but it's not like she didn't realize it. I've had him captured since the play, over a year ago. I don't understand why she won't let him go, he doesn't love her anymore and she still hasn't given him a son after all these years. She barren and no matter how much she prays and begs god for a child it's never going to help her.
"Anne what are you doing out of the Queens chambers?" It was my brother George.
"She dismissed me like some peasant." I could hear the anger in my voice. Why was I allowing myself to get worked up over this?
"But this could be a good thing." He smiled, "You could ask the King for your own ladies and household."
"You know George your correct." I paced, "If im going to be the Kings wife and Queen im going to need to know how to act and entertain." I stop infront of him. "Don't you think?"
"I do." He agreed. "You can have my room and I will sleep elsewhere since you don't have a chamber anymore."
"Thank you brother." I smile.
The next morning, I wake to the sun shining through the window directly into my face and making my cheeks hot. I groan looking at the same dress as always. Its Katherine's servant colors. Why must it be so dark, does no one believe in color? At first I protested in being a maid in her chambers. Waiting on the woman I am to replace hand and foot. She has even had the nerve to call me a whore in Spanish. She did always give me the most horrible tasks, like washing her feet. I shiver to think of it. A servant helped me dress in the same dark gown with a laced bodice and my hair down. I know he will see me when I need, he never turns me away. Wolsey is standing near the Kings doors once I approached.
"Mistress Boleyn what are you doing at the kings door?" He asked.
"I have an audience with the King." I replied.
"What does a silly girl like you have to say to a King?" He said before leaving.
A silly girl like me? What is that supposed to mean, is there a hidden meaning behind the words. A page announced me, but I waited till the page closed the door all the way before running into his arms. He smelled of firewood and honey. Two smells that enlighten me and make me want him but I must resist. His arms are tightly around me as our lips touch in a moment of heated passion and I can't help but give a satisfying moan.
"Wolsey has assured me that the bishops and cardinals are on my side and I should have my matter dissolved." He smiled, cupping my face but I sighed, "What is it sweetheart?"
"It's nothing." I shake my head
"No tell me, for being truthful with one another is the true definition of love." He kissed my forehead.
"It's just you have many men at your disposal to do you bidding, why trust this matter to just one man." I say, stroking his chest.
"Oh sweetheart" He chuckled, pulling me closer in a hug before kissing me once more. "I will consider it okay."
"Thank you." I smile watching him sit at the head of his table. "There is another matter I wish to discuss with you before you head off to your Privy meeting."
"What is it?" He asked. "I've never seen you seem so shy."
"Last night the Queen dismissed me from her ladies and I had to sleep in my brothers chambers while he went to where it is he went."
"What do you mean she dismissed you?"
"It was after the diner with you, she came back and glared at me like I was the devil himself and then spat that I was dismissed." I stated, seeing his face turn red.
"The nerve of that selfish woman. First she won't let me have my annulment because she says it will damn her soul and then she goes and dismisses you." He stood up and cupped my face and kissed me. "How do you feel about having your own household?"
"No Henry I couldn't, really-
"No nonsense." He stopped me. "If you're going to be my future wife and Queen, you are going to need to know how to entertain and maintain a household."
"Are you sure Henry?" I ask.
"I am very sure, I don't want you to be servant to anyone anymore. You deserve more than that. A lot more and being shunned and spat on in her chambers will only bring you down. I will start on the arrangements as soon as possible." He kissed my forehead once more. "And im giving you a thousand crowns to buy some dresses and jewels as well."
"Henry please, I don't deserve this much." I shook my head.
"No my love, you deserve much more than those simple things." He kissed my fingers. "You will be the most happy."
"Oh my love." I say cupping his face and kissing him passionately.
"I thinking of renewing the French alliance." He said between our kisses. "Will you accompany me to an outdoor lunch with him?"
"I would be honored to my love." I smile pulling him closer once more.
/
Katherine.
"You're thinking of doing what?" He asked me once more.
"Ladies you are dismissed." I announce waiting for them all to leave. I summoned Ambassador Mendoza to my chambers to discuss the possibility of making my own Annulment and presenting it to Henry and the courts. So far it's not going as well as I thought. He looks at me like I am mad.
"Mi-Lady if you are thinking of making your own annulment you need lawyers and the Kings permission." He informed me.
"Thomas More is a lawyer." I stated. "He has been a dearest friend to me and there is not a doubt in my mind he wouldn't help me."
"But Thomas is very loyal to the King." He informed me.
"You may say that but since this Matter has become with public," I stood up, I can no longer sit anymore. "He has seemed to turn on Henry, only offering advice unless he has too. He visits me often and we speak of the proceedings even though he doesn't respect them. He wants to see me stay Queen but im fighting a losing battle."
"Mi-lady" He said standing as well.
"She has him pulled him into deep. I can see that he is in love with her and I no longer have his heart. I can call myself a queen till the end of my days but im not the queen in my husband's heart anymore. He has set his eyes upon another and he will do everything in his power to remove him. "I sigh, "I love Henry, I always have but my lawyers are threatening me and I cannot drag my nephew into this matter. Im not his subject."
"So you are just going to give up?" He bluntly said with no emotion and no title.
"What else can I do? I can't bear children anymore. England would fall into the Thames with a girl on the throne." I stated, "Mary is my one concern. My only concern actually. I care not what happens to myself, just my daughter. If I can produce an Annulment that Henry agrees with, I can retire to where ever I want and live out my days. Maybe even happy and content."
"I don't want to see you miserable your Majesty. Once the Boleyn whore comes to power she will do whatever she can to bring you down as well as the Princess and I don't want to see that and neither would my master, your nephew. He would fight for you and you know it." He said trying to change my mind.
"Henry has evidence of my treason in a letter I wrote my nephew when all this started." I looked outside at the gardens that I have grown so much to love. He was out there with her, mounting a horse but he kissed her before helping her. He never kissed me like that, even when we were first married. "Mistress Darrell"
"Yes Mi-lady?" She asked with a bow.
"Please summon my lawyers and Thomas More."
"At once." She bowed once more and left my chambers.
A few silent moments later, Bishop Fisher and Bishop Canterbury as well as Thomas More are standing infront of me. Acknowledging me as their queen. This will the one part I miss. I gesture to the table where Chapuys is already waiting even though he protested to this meeting even further. They all think I should fight the King for my Queen ship but I don't think I can.
"I have summoned you gentlemen to write out an opposing annulment to my husband the King. Something that doesn't contradict the one he has already sent me. I want Mary to be the prime concern as well as my wellbeing. I will give up my right as Queen and become the Dowager Princess of Wales once again as long as he comes to terms with whatever you input." I say looking around at all of them. Silence is what I heard.
"Are you mad mi-lady?" Thomas Asked.
I shook my head. "No I am not mad Thomas. You know henry better than anyone at this table and you know he will do anything to remove me, even if it resorts to made up treason. I cannot jeopardize my life and that of my daughter Mary either."
"If you will give us a few days your Majesty to draw something up than we will go over the details." Fisher stated even though I could see the displeasure on his face.
"Thank you gentlemen." I stood up, them as well and each one bowed to be before leaving me alone with no one but Mistress Darrell. These next few days I will be avoided the King and remain in my chambers till something is decided, hopefully they will come through for me.
/
Okay I wrote this at work and the annulment story line just kept coming back to me so here is my new story. Hopefully everyone enjoyed it and will review and like. But chapter two should be up in a couple of days.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Tudors.
